EVA PETRIČ
BIRD OF HOPE FOR PEACE
The Slovenian Arts Program is excited to host a Welcome Celebration that will recognize the arrival in Milwaukee of Bird of Hope for Peace, a work of art by the Slovenian artist, Eva Petrič!
You're invited! Please join us on October 8th at Milwaukee City Hall at 2:00pm in the rotunda!
The artwork is a bird woven from one thousand lace roses, handcrafted by lacemakers from eleven countries, who responded to an open call initiated by the artist Eva Petrič in collaboration with the Idrija Lace School and the Idrija Tourist Board in a shared spirit of hope. Donated to the artist during the Idrija Lace Festival 2024, the roses were transformed by Petrič into a collective artwork.
The presentation of this artwork in Milwaukee is courtesy of the Milwaukee Slovenian Arts Council in conjunction with the Ermenc Fund of the UWM Foundation, and through a generous grant from the International Institute of Wisconsin.
Our special guests are the Hon. Suzana Češarek, Slovenian Consulate General in Cleveland, and Dr. Paul Trebian, CEO of the International Institute of Wisconsin.
We're so grateful to the grant from the International Institute of Wisconsin, the continuous support from the Ermenc Slovenian Arts Fund at the UWM Foundation. We also received additional funds from the MInistrastvo za kulturo / Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia & Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve RS / Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. All have made this beautiful and unique exhibit possible.
Smith-Redmann Dance Co. Performances October 17 at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
(Produced by Lia Smith-Redmann, Past UWM SAP Scholarship Winner)
For information and ticket inquiries, contact smithredmanndancecompany@gmail.com or visit @smithredmann.dances on social media.
The UWM Slovenian Arts Council recently approved a grant to the Smith-Redmann Dance Co., a new dance company founded by UWM Peck School dance grad and past UWM SAP scholarship winner Lia Smith-Redmann. The funds will support the group’s premiere of The Firekeeper on October 17th at Calvary Presbyterian Church at 628 N. 10th Street, just east of the Marquette University campus. There will be two Milwaukee shows on October 17, with performances at 6:30 and 8:30 pm.
In this the company’s first live dance concert, ten up-and-coming Milwaukee dancers will offer an eveninglength dance piece, described as “inspired by tales such as Little Match Girl, The Giver, and Rite of Spring, this contemporary story ballet depicts a chilling technological and dystopian world, and the spirits of rebellion that come from unlikely places. Featuring characters from Slavic Carnival traditions and inspirations from the likes of Akram Khan and Pina Bausch." A new work by Milwaukee dancer and choreographer Cuauhtli Ramirez Castro and performed by Lia inspired will open the shows.
Holiday Folk Fair (HFF) is set for November 20, 21, and 22. Its 2026 theme is “Celebrate Traditional Dance”. In addition to the most well-known Slovenian dance, the polka, there are many other types of dances in various regions of Slovenia, depending on their proximity to other Slavic nations.
Rae Voegler, SUA Branch 43 member, has been felting for 10 years and recently learned new techniques on a craft tour in Slovenia. She is excited to teach this art form to others! Class participants will be introduced to both felting techniques by creating a felted soap and holiday ornament. Participation cost is just $5 and includes all materials. Class is open to all Slovenian Union of America members and all current or past UWM Slovenian Arts Program donors. There is a maximum of 16 class participants and as of today, just a few class spots remain open. Light refreshments will be served; however, we recommend participants also bring a bag lunch.
To register for the class, please email Laura Tobon @ lgerzeltobon@gmail.com. Class fees are due at the start of class.
New Slovenian Felting Class Offered On Saturday, December 12
The UWM Slovenian Arts Program is pleased to sponsor a Beginner’s Learn to Felt Workshop on Saturday December 12, 11am-4:30pm, at the Hales Corners Library Community Room. Felting is a textile process that mats together loose, unwoven fibers called roving. It is one of the oldest textile techniques in the world. In Slovenia, felting was used to create weather-resistant apparel that was a necessity of rural life. Now artists in Slovenia have turned felting into an art form, allowing for the expression of creativity through color/texture. Two main types include wet and needle felting. Wet felting uses water, friction, and soap to mat or entangle the fibers together, forming a dense fabric that can be cut without fraying. It is used to create weather-resistant clothing, hats, slippers, and socks among other items. Needle felting uses a specialized needle with barbs. The needle is punched through the roving, causing the fibers to entangle and form a dense mass that can be shaped into 2D and 3D objects.
